National Republican., 1887-12-27
CHRISTMAS AT ST. MATTHEW'S
Most Enjoyable Musical Treat Fur
pished bv the Choir,

MOST Enjoyable Musical Treat Fur
nished by the Choir,
The observance Of Christmas day at st.
Matthew's Church was OF unusual solem
nifty and grandeur, there being eight ser
vices, consisting of one high mass, one
solemn high mass, Eve low masses, aud
solemn vespers. The decorations OF the
church and altars with evergreens and
flowers were tasteful and effective. At the
solemn high mass at IL q. nj. the reverend
pastor, DR.. ID. l.. Chappelle, preached au
eloquent and instructive sermon upon the
Gospel taken from the third mass of the
day. All OF the services were well attended,
particularly at the II o'clock mass and the
yespers, at which the church was uncom-
fortably crowded. The music OF the day
was not the least attractive portion Of the
services, and was fully up to the
standard Of excellence for which
mass the music rendered was Guilmanps
"Kyrie," Mercadante's "Gloria,n the
Credo, Sanctus ct Benedictus, and Agnus
Del, from ,silas's Prize Mass; "Jubiate
Deo," by Dlabelli; "Vcni Creator,n by
Weigand, and "Laudste Dominum," by
Cassarini; and at the 4 o'clock p. m. service
the following specified music was sung;
Deo," by Dlabeli; 'Alma Redemptoris,"
by Campapa; 30 Salutaris," by Waldecker;
"Tantum Ergo" by Davis, and Laudate
Dominum, by Cassarini. At both services
the different numbers were rendered
with marked precision, and atten-
tlon to expression in the crescendo
and diminuendo passages, that
exhibited careful training Of the chorus,
the shading and pbrasing exhibiting the
gOnn1. nf a
summer wind to the thunder OF storm,
The new ADDITION to the repertoire of st.
Matthew's choir, Silas's Mass, is worthy OF
place among the great masters. The num-
bers OF which were given on Christmas day
are the "Credo," which opens with grand
chorus theme In unison which fully ex.
hibils the majesty ard power OF faith.
This theme is repeated at different parts Of
the number. The "Et In Carnatus" is
quartette commencing with an alto solo,
and In common form Is sgfaceful In melody
and tempo and expressive OF the words
The "Et vltsmn is spirited fugue with
basses leading, is clearly and well wrltten
and well worked up, although not loug. The
"Sauctus" is chorus full Of majesty and
power, conveying the meaning OF the words
"Holy! Holy Lord God OF Sabbaoth, heaven
and earth are full of thy glory" the "Bene-
dictus" is beautiful quartette aud chorus,
soothing in expression of the words,
"Blessed is he that cometh in the name OF
the Lord,n and commanding IN the inter
spereed choruses, "Hosannah in the High
est" The "Agnus Dep is a chorus rich In
melody and harmony, and capable OF much
expression In the appeal to the "Lamb OF
world, have mercy on u.s." The "Dona
nobis pacerl"--give us peace-is also
movement Of the common order, quleting
in It's effect, portraying "That peace which
tne wOrld cannot give, peace with Thee, and
peace with ourselves" The solo parts were
sustained by Mesdames Zaidee Rosster
Smith, Josephine L. DAILY, the Misses Nam
ME Noonan, Maggie Cannon, Messrs VIM.
II. Burnett, Arthur May, John Ii. Nolan,
and l.. Z. Cannon. 1t is scarcely necessary
to say that the principal soloists sang these
parts In their Usual artistic manner. Mrs.
Zaidee X. Smiths rendition of Diabelli's
soprano solo obligato, "Jubilate Deo," was
revelation even to those well acquainted
with the purity and flexibility of her voice,
and showed careful study of her part, The
bravura passages were clearly defined and
and beauty of expression shown by Mrs.
DAILY in singing Waldecker's 80 Salutarls"
at once stamps her as an artist OF more than
ordinary merit. or MIR. w. ii. Burnett, the
tenor, very little can be written or said that
would not be repetition. However, he
never did himself more justice than on Sun
day last, In the obligato solo soul Tolls"
by Mercadante, and Margo's solo, "Esurlen.
tes," in both of which the
pure and powerful quality of
his tenor voice was we'll displayed.
Mr.. John ii. Nolan is O new aspirant for
solo honors. His efforts on Christmas day
places him at once first In the foremost
rank Of our city bassos He possesses a
fine basso voice of rare power, lexlbiIity,
and good timber. Prof. William Waldecker
presided at the organ in an unusually
effective manner, sustaining the choruses
in every variation of tempo and shading,
and accompanying the soloists with combi-
nations Of stops best suited to thsir re-
spective voices, supporting them, but not
Dredominating. His composition, so,
Salutaris," sung by Mrs. DAILY, is work
that commends itself to the true musician,
and gives hope of future native CON-
poser, who will rank fayorably with auy Of
our present age. To Mr.. l.. L. Gan
non, the director, 1t must be great
pleasure to know that his untiring efforts
TO make his choir par excellence is crowned
with success.
e It may be remembered that Cardinal Glib
bons, on his recent visit to the Pacific
slope, was accompanied by the Rev. DR..
Cbappelle. On tue DOCTORS return he Wis.
ited the choir at rehearsal aud told them |
that In all his travel twice ''across the con-
tinept,n the fame OF st. Matthew's had
preceded him, and many kind and COM
plimentary things were said OF it from Min.
nesota to Portland. Greg, down the Pacific
coast to SaH Francisco, and along the south
ern route TO New Orleans, and thence
home.
The music OF Christmas will be repeated |
on Sunday next, the lst proximo.